Metastatic Mess: Self employed, no super, life or income protection, expired health insurance
Firstly, I hope everyone is feeling the best they can, and keeping positive... or doing whatever works for you if you're sick of people always saying "be positive" :) I feel really silly (and irresponsible) finding myself in this situation of being self-employed, with no super, life/income protection, and to top it off...expired health insurance. My Diagnosis: Age 40 - Breast cancer E+ Her 2-, 3 small children, chemo, radiotherapy, mastectomy, reconstruction. Age 51 - Metastatic breast cancer (bones), radiotherapy, letrozole (estrogen blocker), kisqali (tablets that target cancer cells), Xgeva injection every 4 weeks, slow release pain killers. We live on the Central Queensland coast and operate a small tourism business. We moved here from Brisbane after my first diagnosis. I have spoken with our Bank and they will only delay mortgage payments for a few months which is of little help. The cost of treatments, medications loans and general "living" is unmanageable and I'm now maxing out credit cards. We don't eat out, travel, buy new things etc. There is no breast care nurse here. Does anyone have any advice regarding: claiming centrelink disability as a self-employed person? claiming old super from when I was an employee? robbing banks? sorry... disregard that last comment. Thanks in advance, Silly Sausage.
International Day of People with a Disability
On Sunday 3rd December we celebrated International Day of People with a Disability, which is a day that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. This year’s theme is ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all’. The overarching message behind the theme is to ‘leave no one behind’ and empower people with disability to be active contributors of society. BCNA recognises that people diagnosed with breast cancer while living with a disability may face additional challenges. BCNA supports all Australians affected by breast cancer, and as part of this commitment, BCNA recently developed resources in accessible formats including fact sheets in Easy English and audio, as well as video resources. These resources can help people facing breast cancer with a disability feel more in control and empowered to make decisions about their treatment and care. There are also resources for carers of those with a disability and a diagnosis of breast cancer. You can view these resources on the Facing breast cancer with a disability page on our website. We’d love to hear what you think about our resources for people diagnosed with breast cancer who are living with a disability. Please comment on this post or email Jillian Head at jhead@bcna.org.au with your feedback or suggestions.
Friday Update!
Hi everyone and welcome to the Friday update. This week we have 18 new members. Please help me welcome @caseymmcc, @susieq2, @breast65, @el46 and all our other new members. Community highlights Each week we have lots of different discussions take place in the online network. These can include questions, updates, celebrations and so much more. Here are some conversations this week you may have missed: @ccasper - Fertility post chemo @wndsrfn - 2nd year check up @becmac - Annual scans and stereotactic biopsy @wendh67 - On line support friends Congratulations to our wonderful member Karen who completed a Certificate III in Fitness as part of BCNA’s partnership with Fernwood Fitness Foundation Scholarship Program! After being diagnosed with breast cancer Karen became passionate about the use of exercise to manage the side effects of treatment & reduce the risk of reoccurrence. Karen is excited to use her training to help other breast cancer survivors in the Darwin community. To read Karen's story click here. News & events Tamoxifen added to PBS for women at increased risk of breast cancer. To read more click here. Do you know someone who has a disability and has been affected by breast cancer? BCNA would like to understand what information and support people with a disability who have breast cancer need. We also are interested in the breast cancer information and support needs of people who support people with a disability. To find out more information click here. Newcastle Information Forum - Tuesday 11th October. To register click here Our partners & supporters BCNA is fortunate to have partners and supporters that help us ensure we deliver our programs and services free of charge to Australia's affected by breast cancer. Florsheim has just released a new BCNA range of shoes for men and woman. Our Partnerships Coordinator, Zoe Jennings, tells us how this idea was born at one of our information forums. When I started working at BCNA in January, I got to know a few of our wonderful volunteers and their sense of fashion when it comes to footwear. I thought it would be great to have a beautiful, comfortable hot pink wedge for our lovely ladies to wear to support and promote BCNA. After doing my research on the various shoe companies, I knew that Florsheim was the best fit with BCNA and our members. A meeting was set up and we pitched the idea. Florsheim immediately agreed. They were very generous and I knew it was going to be an incredible partnership. The BCNA range recently launched in all Florsheim stores. There are six women’s and three men’s shoes. The best part is that with every pair purchased, $40 is donated to BCNA. This helps support our programs and services such as our information forums, kits, and the online network. So head into any Florsheim store to pick up your favourite pair! For more information about our partnerships. Active & wellness tip Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can! Everyone is different so it is important to set yourself realistic goals and to listen to your body, start excising at an appropriate level for you. No gym membership? No problem. Use basic items that are already have. Cans of food for weights, walk up and down the stairs. Any exercise is better than none and more is better than less so try and avoid inactivity. Here is a little inspiration leading into the weekend from our creative members of the online network Have a lovely weekend, Ann-Marie xFriday Update!
Hello and welcome to the Friday update! It’s almost here and we are very excited! As you may know, the online network is getting a makeover. Some of you have been following the updates and asking questions over in the Community Shift group. On Monday, 29 August, the online network will go offline around 9am and it will remain offline all week. On the following Monday, 5 September, you’ll come back here and voila! New online network. If you need anything during this time, please don't hesitate to email us at bcnaonline@bcna.org.au or call us at 1800 500 258. Community Highlights We have 24 new members. Please say hello to Rosep, archer21, DebbieT and all our new members. This week we had 41 posts and 381 comments. Here are some you may have missed - Tao - High grade DCIS Dmcook - Concerned DonnaF - One year on Cat4462 - First Chemo BCNA News & Events Supporting people with a disability - Join our consultation on the impact of disability on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. BCNA wants to ensure that it provides accessible and appropriate breast cancer information and support to people with disabilities and their families. We would like to understand what information and support people with a disability who have breast cancer need and we are interested in the breast cancer information and support needs of people who support people with a disability. More information is available about the project in the participant information statements for people with a disability and for family members, carers and support workers. If you would like to share your experience with us or would like to find out more, please contact Grace Daley via gdaley@bcna.org.au or on 1800 500 258. If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact Grace through the National Relay Service www.relayservice.gov.au. Pink Lady Luncheons - The Pink Lady luncheons provide an opportunity to support Australians affected by breast cancer and are held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day (13 October). Click here for more information. (Our CEO Christine Nolan, our very special guest speaker Ita Buttrose and BCNA Board Member Megan James at our Canberra luncheon) Pink Sports Day - AFL ledgends Mick Martyn & Mark Williams took some time off preparing for the upcoming EJ Whitten Legends Game to organise another Pink Sports Day game for a great cause... The Newport Power on this Saturday August 27!!! To find out how to get involved with Pink Sports Day click here! (Image-Starweekly.com.au) BCNA Information Forums - Our free breast cancer information forums took place this week in Brisbane, Mackay & Roma. We had a wonderful turnout to all three events and look forward to coming to Sydney in October. Have a lovely weekend, Ann-Marie xxFriday Update!
Hello and welcome to the Friday update! Community Highlights We have 30 new members. Please say hello to tahj36, Jaybejay, jovi01 and all our new members. We had 41 posts and 381 comments. The online network has seen a number of different topics being talked about this week. Here are some you may have missed - Kate001 – Short of Breath Loz81 - Mastectomy Tingy – Holiday after treatment finishes OMG – Low blood cells BCNA News & Events Earth Bottles - For the next 30 days Earth Bottles are donating 100% of their profits from all of their PINK bottles sold online to BCNA. Earth Bottles founder and CEO's sister Nat is celebrating the all clear after a 5 year battle with breast cancer. The message "Check your boobs, it could save your life". To check out these beautiful pink bottles click here. Supporting people with a disability - Join our consultation on the impact of disability on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. BCNA wants to ensure that it provides accessible and appropriate breast cancer information and support to people with disabilities and their families. We would like to understand what information and support people with a disability who have breast cancer need and we are interested in the breast cancer information and support needs of people who support people with a disability. More information is available about the project in the participant information statements for people with a disability and for family members, carers and support workers. If you would like to share your experience with us or would like to find out more, please contact Grace Daley via gdaley@bcna.org.au or on 1800 500 258. If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, contact Grace through the National Relay Service www.relayservice.gov.au. BCNA Forum’s - Our free breast cancer information forums are taking place this week in Brisbane, Mackay & Roma. Learn about the latest in breast cancer treatment and care, and ways to manage the emotional and physical impact of breast cancer from breast cancer experts including medical oncologists, oncology psychologists and other health professionals at these inspiring events. For more information click here. Pink Lady Luncheons - The Pink Lady luncheons provide an opportunity to support Australians affected by breast cancer and are held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day (13 October). Click here for more information. Have a lovely weekend everyone, Ann-Marie xxFriday update!
Hello everyone, welcome to the Friday update! Community Highlights We have 29 new members. Please give a warm welcome to Kate13, MayaV, dtrif5, Effi and all our new members. This week we had 79 posts and 436 comments. Here are a few posts you may have missed - Big red Let me yell it loud and clear .....chemo is done! Surgery over Things I don't miss about ac chemo BCNA News & Events At BCNA we are committed to providing high quality, easily accessible support to all our members and we are proud to announce we are now National Relay Service friendly. This means if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment you can contact us via the National Relay Service. Learn more about the National Relay Service at www.relayservice.gov.au. Have you received the second edition of BCNA's Hope & Hurdles pack (distributed since January 2013)? We are currently reviewing the pack and would like to hear from you! To help us improve this resource and better support people living with secondary breast cancer please complete the online survey before 12 June: www.surveymonkey.com/r/H-Hsurvey2016 BCNA is thrilled to be voted by its peers as number six on GiveEasy’s 2016 Index of Australia’s most innovative not-for-profit organisations. - Read more We are excited to announce that next month we will be visiting three locations in Western Australia to host breast cancer information forums. - Read more Have a lovely weekend. Ann-Marie x
